Book excerpt: The book comprises reviews on various topics of carbon nanotube research from specialists in the field, together with reports on on-going research. Both are intended to give a detailed picture of the remarkable properties of these one-dimensional nanostructures. Particular attention is paid to the synthesis, characterization, properties, and application of nanotubes. The book will be an indispensable introduction for the newcomers in the field as well as a valuable update for researchers in the field, for it contains the most recent developments.